Okay, to beat the post-Christmas blues and general exhaustion, I thought I should focus on the positive for a sec.

What silly little things make you happy?

For me (in no particular order):
1. My youngest son's giggle - it's something to hear!
2. My oldest son's smile (he's sooo beautiful when he smiles, which isn't as much as I'd like for my spirited child)
3. A freshly clean bathroom.
4. A clean kitchen.
5. The steps coming up from my basement - they are wood tops with painted green "backs" and I just like the aesthetics. (I told you this was silly!)
6. Pictures of my kids looking happy.
7. Reading over the funny things they have said in the past (I write them down on a calendar we have).
8. Having a few spare minutes in the morning (usually only a weekend, and usually not every weekend) to sit and do nothing but drink my tea and read.

1) getting so see my neice and/or nephew (just turned one both of them) learning something new! so unreal to watch their amazment at things i take for granted

2) mediating and getting to that spot where i acutally feel like i am IN the place i meditate about (the lake at my grandparents' old cottage)

3) the feeling of having accomplished my goals by the end of my work day, and that really special feeling achiving a goal at HOME (currently my bedroom is organised to the max incl my closet those kinds of things

4) this may sound vain but when someone tells me that i'm truely looking well, i've lost a bunch of weight and have gotten over depression in the last year and a half, it's nice to know that people who care for me notice that i'm finally taking care of myself

5) getting a chance to go out and enjoy catch-up time with friends (and family) when your schedule allows, it's nice to be able to talk to non-coworkers and costomers once in a while!

There are many things, but I'm going to give one refound source of happy: dancing. Yes, I've recently started taking ballet again - jazz and classical. Now stop laughing, that's rude!

This does come after a looooong hiatus. I was one of those kids in pink tights and a leotard non-stop from kindergarten to late teens, revisiting briefly in my 20s. Then I stopped, did life's other busy things.

I often thought of going back, then thought how ridiculous. Something came over me one day last October, and I finally screwed up the courage and walked into the very good ballet studio about 5 minutes from my house. Yes, there were adult courses. Yes, I've found I'm not nearly as good as I once. But also not as terrible as expected.

And it's an absolute blast. When it goes right, there's nothing (OK maybe one thing) that feels better or more freeing.

What makes me happy:
1. a beautiful sunrise.
2. the smell of fresh coffee.
3. the sound my daughter makes while sleeping when she sort of hitches her breath and then lets out a little sigh.
4. laughing with friends.
5. taking any idea to its most absurd conclusion with my husband.
6. getting into philosophical debates with my brothers about anything and all of us getting wildly excited.
7. the smell after a huge rain storm.
8. puttering around at estate sales with my girlfriend.
9. hugs from my daughter.
10. my husband cooking dinner.

AM I am so with you on that one -- especially because my son's at the age now where he's beginning to try to master a lot of new skills. There's nothing better. Seeing him happy or enjoying anything, when he's giggling from the gut. Watching him sleep and kissing his face off (because I can't resist!). OK -- anything to do with my son. When I'm present in my life, in the moment, not lost in worries of the possibilities of tomorrow, grateful for where I am and all that has brought me to that moment - that's when I'm my happiest.
Enjoying a really good coffee in a coffee shop with the people I most care about.
Going to quaint towns, browsing shops, taking my time.
Shopping and finding the absolute best deal on something --
Finding a really good fitting pair of jeans (finally!!!)
Being in nature.
Feeling like something I've done or said has helped someone else.
I could go on and on...(I guess that's a good thing! )

Now this may seem silly to the rest of you...but I think I am the only Canadian who never learned to skate. Last time I was on skates I was about 6...and my skates were in really bad condition (actually folded over at the ankle)...which made it really difficult...and I assumed it was me who was unable to skate. So...I had not been on skates in 23 years. I bought skates on boxing day. I have been out twice, I have not even fallen...and I've been doing great.

I'm pretty proud of myself ...I just had to share. I felt the need to "practice what I preach" in regards to telling my girls they can accomplish anything as long as they try.

Gwen - maybe you could do a recital for our group next time you are up in Ottawa!

But seriously - that's very cool. I applaud you.

I took violin as a kid/teen and have sometimes toyed with the idea of buying another one - if only to show my kids that I am capable of playing. I'm not sure I'd do lessons again. I always hated practising.

I have always wanted to take singing lessons. Just never found the time.... But I think it would make me happy.

9. sunrises and sunsets, or just clouds that are coloured by the sun (is that what you meant by "atmospheric optics", krasota??)
10. catching up on old tv shows that I never got to see in the first place using DVDs (my current addictions are ** & The City and Six Feet Under)
11. reading to my kids - especially Calvin & Hobbes (my oldest has started quoting Calvin.. but sometimes I don't realize it!!)
12. going for a bike ride (it's been too long...)

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests

You cannot post new topics in this forumYou cannot reply to topics in this forumYou cannot edit your posts in this forumYou cannot delete your posts in this forumYou cannot post attachments in this forum